Page 84 of Skating to Him

“Yeah, so I guess your fancy agent is doing something right.” He turned and stepped toward the driveway, only the tracks of the car’s tires cutting through the snow.

I wanted to know more about Mom. My breath caught. Would I be able to come out to her? Fuck. “So, how bad off is Mom?”

“She’s, uh…” He winced. “She’s either in a wheelchair or in bed. Dad got her a hospital bed.” He squeezed my arm. “She’s going to be wicked happy to see you.”

“Yeah, okay.” I inhaled deeply. I’d have to look cheerful, no matter what state she was in. I followed Aaron through the soft snow into the mudroom at the back of the house, toed off my boots, shucked off my jacket, and hung it on one of the many hooks between a few other jackets.

“Where is she now?” I pulled my sweater over my jeans andpicked up my duffel. I’d have to figure out where everyone’s head was at before I said anything about Tyler and me. I didn’t need to fuck up our Christmas any more than it probably was.

“Dad has her set up in the office since it’s on this floor. Then we don’t have to haul her up and down the stairs.” He chuckled and led me through the kitchen Mom remodeled a few years ago. She’d opted for a modern look for the old house with walnut cabinets and white marble counters. But now, it sounded like she couldn’t even cook in it. Which… “Who’s cooking, Dad?”

“Yeah.” He stopped at the entry to the front room of the house and turned to me. “With help from us.”

“Of course.” With a nod, my chest clenched. We were all used to pitching in by now. I strolled beside him as he led me to the hallway where the office was.

Cupping his hand next to his mouth, he leaned in and said, “She’s here.”

With a nod, I took a deep breath, bracing myself. “Hey, Ma.” I strutted into the room.

Her gaunt face lit up, her shoulder-length hair in a ponytail. “Hi, Rowan.” She lay in her bed with the back raised so she could watch the television on the wall across the room, between bookshelves.

As my chest pinched, I wound my arms around her shoulders, hugging her as best I could and planting a kiss on her forehead. “It’s so good to see you.” I grabbed her cold hand, lying next to her legs on the bed. Her blue eyes were darker and more sunken than usual. “Having a bad time of it?”

She sighed. “Yes, it came on about a week ago.” She pursed her lips. “I’m so sorry, honey. I wanted to be up and around when you came home.”

“You gotta take care of yourself first.” Had she been overdoing it for the holiday? That wouldn’t surprise me. Shit, was it a good idea to have Tyler fly out here still? I’d have to gauge how things went over the next couple of days.

“I am. I’ve got all you boys here to help me out now.” She gave my hand a weak squeeze.

“We’ll take good care of you, Ma.” I glanced at Aaron, who was cupping his chin and studying us. He was really concerned this time. I could see it all over his face. Good thing his football season was over.

“I know you will, dear.” She gave me a soft smile.

“Hi, boys.” Dad peeked his head of dark hair into the room, his brown eyes intense behind his black glasses. Rapping on the open door, he said, “Now that you’ve seen Rowan is home and safe, you need to rest, Sharon.” He snapped his brows up. “Right?”

Crossing her arms over her chest, Mom said, “Yes, I’ll take my nap now.” She huffed, then gave me a sheepish look. “Your father is determined to make sure I don’t have any fun this Christmas.”

Dad stepped farther into the room. “No, I’m determined to see you better before Rowan has to go back to Arizona.” With a small grin, he tutted.

This was always how it went, Dad forcing Mom to rest, which was what she was supposed to be doing. “Ma, get your nap in. I’ll be here when you wake up.” I kissed her forehead and squeezed her shoulder. “Love you.”

“Love you too, honey. I’m glad you’re home.” She ticked a brow. “And I can’t wait to meet your friend in a few days.”

“Sure.” Pressing my lips together, I glanced at Aaron and strolled out the door beside him and Dad, with Dad closing the door as we walked into the hallway. Now, I couldn’t tell Tyler not to come out. I just hoped him seeing my mom like this wouldn’t scare him too much about his own mother.

“Let’s go and talk in the kitchen.” Dad, wearing a white cable-knit sweater with gray slacks, had probably just come home from work.

“Sure.” I snuck a peek at Aaron, who was frowning. Were things even worse than they looked?

Dad strolled to the dinette off the kitchen, a glass table with low-backed, upholstered green chairs. Snow drifted softly down outside the windows next to us. He pulled out a chair and sat in it.

I dropped into the chair next to Dad’s. “So, how bad is it?” I tented my hands over the table.

Aaron stepped into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator door. “Anybody want something to drink?” He pulled out a bottle of orange Gatorade.

“Yeah, grab me one of those too, will ya?” I breathed through the tightness in my chest. With me gone, Aaron was probably the one Dad had been leaning on.

“I’m okay.” Dad shifted in his seat.

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